- Lowry and Catlin climb 14 places while Horsfield impresses at half-way stage of the European Tour’s season-ending tournament at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
- Overnight leader Rory McIlroy’s closing double bogey sees him one-shot behind in tied-fourth on a dramatic day of action.
Dubai, UAE, 19 November 2021:Shane Lowry and John Catlin stormed up the leaderboard to hold a share of the lead alongside Sam Horsfield with overnight leader Rory McIlroy a stroke behind at the half-way stage of the Rolex Series event, DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
On the second day of the European Tour’s season-ending event at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Ireland’s Lowry and America’s Catlin were among the biggest movers of the day with both climbing 14 places after carding 65.
Lowry began the day on three-under-par and made five birdies and an eagle while Catlin managed eight birdies and a bogey in his 18 holes. They are joined at the top by England’s Horsfield who, despite back-to-back bogies, made seven birdies.
Speaking after his round, Lowry said: “I feel like my game is in good shape and I feel I know my way around this place and I know how to play here. So, I’m happy to be at the top of the leaderboard and looking forward to going again.”
Catlin, said winning the competition on Sunday would make a huge difference to his life. He said: “I’m very pleased to get off to a good start. This is a very challenging golf course and every single shot has to be executed almost to perfection and it was nice to get some good shots. To get the win would be a life-changer, it’s probably the biggest event we have out here and to win that would be truly special.”
McIlroy had the chance to build on his solid opening day’s 65 and two-shot overnight lead but despite five birdies, a bogey on the 10th and a double bogey on the last proved costly. Sitting at nine-under means the Northern Irishman is now tied fourth alongside Sweden’s Alexander Bjork, who shot 67 for the day.
Collin Morikawa remains in contention to secure the Race to Dubai title, matching his opening round score of 68, trailing the lead by two shots.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s Brendan Lawlor opened with an impressive two under par round of 70 to take a two shot lead in the European Disabled Golfer’s Association (EDGA) Dubai Finale.
Lawlor mixed six birdies with four bogeys on the Earth Course as he seeks his third victory of the five-event series. He will take a two-stroke advantage over Englishman Mike Browne and Canadian Kurtis Barkley going into Saturday’s final round.
The second day of action at Jumeirah Golf Estates was watched by thousands of spectators as the tournament hosted its first Ladies Day. Throughout the day, ladies had the chance to enjoy a wide range of activities including taking part in a special golf clinic as well as winning prizes.
Fans can still purchase their free admission tickets here for the rest of the Rolex Series tournament with a packed entertainment schedule lined up for every spectator to enjoy.
Play on Saturday will begin at 8:30am. Fans can watch the action from Jumeirah Golf Estates live on the official European Tour’s YouTube channel here.
About the European Tour’s Race to Dubai
The Race to Dubai is the season-long competition to crown the European Tour’s Number One player. Celebrating the global connectivity of Dubai and the European Tour, the list of champions since 2009 reads like a Who’s Who of modern-era greats, including multiple titles for Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood. Other winners include Jon Rahm, Francesco Molinari, Tommy Fleetwood, Martin Kaymer, and Luke Donald. Formerly known as the Order of Merit, points are accumulated based on a tournament points system with the winner awarded the prestigious Race to Dubai trophy at the conclusion of the DP World Tour Championship.
About the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai
The highest ranked players on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai are invited to contest the final event of the season, the US$9million DP World Tour Championship, Dubai – a Rolex Series event. Staged at Jumeirah Golf Estates, the warm weather conditions are perfect for both players and spectators. The Greg Norman-designed Earth course has a reputation for delivering dramatic finales and providing a stage for the biggest stars to shine. Double winners Matt Fitzpatrick, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Henrik Stenson head a list of champions since its 2009 launch also including Danny Willett and Lee Westwood.
About the European Tour
The European Tour is ‘Driving Golf Further’ through our guiding principles of being innovative, inclusive and global.
Innovative: The European Tour is driving innovation in golf through the creation of award-winning content, pioneering tournament formats and the use of the latest technology and inventive fan engagement. We have recognised the need for golf to modernise for future fans and we are committed to engaging new audiences whilst respecting the tradition of our sport.
Inclusive: We are committed to include all who share a love for the game of golf. We are passionate about a closer collaboration with the women’s game, disability golf and promoting the health benefits of playing golf.
Global: Since the European Tour was formed in 1972, players from 36 different countries have won tournaments, while our live broadcast reaches more than 490 million homes in more than 150 countries every week, generating in excess of 2,200 global broadcast hours for each event. We also enjoy the support of many of the world’s leading business brands with Rolex, BMW, Callaway, DP World, Emirates, Workday and Zoom as Official Partners.
The European Tour also manages the developmental Challenge Tour and the Legends Tour (formerly known as the Staysure Tour) which is the men’s professional golf tour for members aged 50 and older.
The European Tour is also the Managing Partner of Ryder Cup Europe, the body which, alongside the PGA of America, administers golf’s greatest team contest, the Ryder Cup.
About the Rolex Series
The Rolex Series is the premium event category on the European Tour’s International Schedule, comprising four tournaments in 2021, staged in a variety of world-class golfing locations each with a minimum prize fund of US$8 million and 8,000 Race to Dubai points available.
Showcasing innovation, enriched media, content and broadcast coverage, and a superior event experience for the world’s top players, the list of champions includes some of golf’s most distinguished names.
The Rolex Series was launched in 2017, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Rolex’s enduring partnership with the European Tour.
In 2021, the Rolex Series comprises; The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship (January 21-24), the Abdn Scottish Open (July 8-11) the BMW PGA Championship (September 9-12) and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai (November 18-21), where the leading golfer on the Race to Dubai Rankings in partnership Rolex will be crowned.